Morning journal and courier., 1887-01-07
The Governors Message.
[coNoLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE.
vestments are believed to be uniformly good
and the general manapAment of the banks I,

vestments are believed to be uniformly good,
and the general management of the banks to
be beyond just criticism.
On the first day of last October the total
amount of deposits in all the savings banks
of the State was ninety-seven millions four
hundred and twenty-four thousand eight
hundred and twenty dollars and eighty five
cents 1891, 424 500. S5), an increase during the
year of nearly five millions of dollars. At
the same date the total number of depositors
was two hundred and sixty-six thousand
eight hundred and eighty-eight (266, 88S), an
hundred and ninsty-one 10, 79D. More than
two-6fths of the whole population of the
this State are depositors in these banks, a
fact which not only strikingly proves the
thrift of the people, but also attests their ap-
proval of past legislation, and their conf
dence that their savings thus deposited will
continue to be jealousy guarded by the
State.
There should be no abatement in the de-
mand that safety in Investment and economy
in expenses should mark the management of
every one of these institutions. There is no
evidence that there is any tendency to reck-
lessness in the one respect, or to extrava-
gance in the other.
There seems to be no present need of fur
Their bank legislation. If any be proposed,
you will give it that full consideration which
its Importance requires.
INSURANCE.
Within the last year the Charter Oak Life
Insurance company has been placed in the
hands of receivers. The insurance commits
sioner states that in his annual report to the
General Assembly he will give more extend
ed information concerning this failure, and
that he will make some suggestions in rela-
ton to some of our insurance laws. In the
general condition of the other insurance
companies marked change will be shown.
On January 1855, there were in the State
ten stock fire insurance companies with paid
up capital amounting to nearly eleven mil
lions of dollars, with gross assets OF more
than twenty-five millions, and with surplus
above all liabilities of nearly seven millions
of dollars. The number of mutual fire in
surance companies was sixteen, with assets
of one million, two hundred and seventy
thousand dollars and with a surplus above
all liabilities of nine hundred and seventy
four thousand dollars. The number of life
insurance companies was nine, with gross as
sets of more than one hundred and ten mil
lions of dollars and with liabilities Except
capitaD of ninety eight millions of dollars.
You see the vast interests which our insur
ance laws affect and in large degree control,
and you will realize the great responsibility
which the Sta'e owes to the policy-holders.
There is little doubt that our insurance COM
panies rule are managed by upright and
capable men. There is no doubt that ali new
legislation touching these companies should
be begun with caution and adopted only after
the most patient and thorough consideration.
RAILROADS.
The commissioners report that there is
continued Improvement in the general condi-
ton of all the railroads in the State.
The freight and passenger traffic, the gross
earnings and the net earnings have all largely
increased.
The number of passengers carried was nine
teen millions eleven thousand three hundred
and eighty one, and of these only five were
fatally injured. The accidents at highway
crossings were less than usual and resulted
in nine deaths, as compared with fourteen the
year before. The number of regular Sunday
trains has increased, but the number of SIM
day excursions has diminished.
Any legislation which does not interfere
with acts of necessity or mercy, which guar
,ntees undisturbed worship of God to those
who choose to worship and Sunday rest to
as many possible of the railroad EN- 5loyes
in the State, is right in itself and will meet
with public approval